Macromolecules
The Four Molecules of Life
I. Role of carbon
A.
B.
C.
Carbon is part of all major
macromolecules
Organic means that it contains carbon
Carbon makes four covalent bonds
and can form rings and chains
I. Role of Carbon continued

D. sometimes two molecules can have the
same molecular formulas but have different
structures called isomers

E. When large molecules are made from
smaller molecules it is called a polymer
II. Carbohydrates
A.
B.
C.
D.
Made of C,H,O
H to O is 2 to 1 like water
Rings of carbon
Examples
1. Glucose
2. Starch (many glucose bonded together)
3. Cellulose (many glucoses) cell wall of plants
4. Lactose, fructose, galactose, sucrose
II. Carbohydrates cont.
E. Monomers
1. simple sugars (one ring)
2. monosaccharides (glucose most
common)
3. C6H12O6
II. Carbohydrates cont.
F. Polymer carbohydrates
1. chains of sugars (many rings)
2. two ring of sugar = disaccharide
(sucrose)- table sugar
3. more than two chains is a
polysaccharide like starch or amylose or
cellulose.
4. -ose on the end usually means sugar.
II. Carbohydrates cont.
G.
Functions
1. Fast energy for cells
2. Makes some structures
1. Cell wall of plants
2. Identification markings on cell
membranes
III. Protein
A.
B.
Protein is a polymer of amino acids
1. Contains H,O,N,C
Long chain of amino acids = protein
1. Amino acid
a. Draw
b. Each is different at the R group
c. Bonded by peptide bond
III. Proteins cont.
C.
Functions of proteins
1. Makes many structures for living things
a. Bone, muscles, skin, organs, tendons
2. Enzymes- control all cell functions
Amino acid structure
Dehydration synthesis/
condensation reaction
IV. Lipids (fats)

A. Structure
1. Large amount of carbon and hydrogen and a
small amount of oxygen. C,H, O
 2.Glycerol + 3 fatty acids  triglyceride + 3 waters
 3. Fatty acids = long chains of carbon with a COOH
at one end.

 a.
Saturated no double bonds in the middle of the chain
between carbons
 b. Unsaturated – one or more double bonds (less H)

B. Major Uses of lipids
1.
 2.
 3.
 4.
 5.

Long term energy storage
Insulation of heat
Insulation of electricity
part of all cell membranes
part of many hormones

C. Examples
1. triglycerides in foods
 2. sterols in hormones
 3. phospholipids in cell membrane

V. Nucleic acids

A. Structure

1. nucleotides
 a.
C, H, O, N, P
 b. Phosphate
 c. Sugar
 d. Nitrogenous bases

B. Examples


1. DNA and RNA
C. Function

1. Store and use genetic information